CBB

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) Belmont returns four starters from an Ohio Valley Conference tournament championship team, making it easy to pick the Bruins as the preseason favorite to win the OVC.The Bruins received 21 of a possible 24 first-place votes in voting released Tuesday before the OVC's media day....

AP Sports WriterMichigan State's Ward gets tech for apparent trip of rivalBy LARRY LAGEANN ARBOR, Mich. (AP) Michigan State's Nick Ward insisted he didn't trip Michigan's Moe Wagner intentionally.''I really don't think I did on purpose,'' Ward said after the Wolverines routed the Spartans 86-57 on Tuesday night....

MADISON, Wis. (AP) Wisconsin freshman Andy Van Vliet was not going to dress for the Badgers' exhibition game on Wednesday against Wisconsin-River Falls because of a pending eligibility issue.According to Wisconsin, NCAA rules state that prospective players have one year to enroll in college following their high school...

AP Basketball WriterGonzaga, Villanova, Kansas on top of AP poll after wild weekBy JIM O'CONNELLGonzaga is No. 1 for a second straight week in The Associated Press college basketball poll following a week in which all but four of the top 10 teams lost at least one game.The Bulldogs...

AP Sports WriterNo. 6 Kentucky encouraged by defensive resultsBy GARY B. GRAVESLEXINGTON, Ky. (AP) Kentucky has shown it has no problem scoring with five 100-point games and the Wildcats' offense ranked No. 2 nationally.Coach John Calipari has been focusing on the other side of the floor, stressing defense...

AP Basketball WriterDuke's Allen leads AP preseason All-America teamBy JIM O'CONNELLJosh Hart is off to a stellar start as a member of the defending national champions.The 6-foot-5 swingman from Villanova will begin his senior season on The Associated Press' preseason All-America team.Hart, the Big East's preseason player of the...

Syracuse coach Jim Boeheim receives award for cancer workPITTSFORD, N.Y. (AP) Syracuse coach Jim Boeheim has received the American Cancer Society's Circle of Honor Award in recognition of his fundraising for cancer research.Boeheim was honored at a dinner Sunday night at Oak Hill Country Club in the Rochester...

Memphis adds junior-college forward Kyvon DavenportMEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) Memphis has signed forward Kyvon Davenport out of Georgia Highlands College as the Tigers continue restocking their roster after losing their top three scorers from this season to transfers.Davenport, who is 6-foot-8, averaged 16.5 points, 10.5 rebounds and 3 blocks...

Original basketball rules displayed at University of KansasLAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) The University of Kansas put James Naismith's original rules of basketball on display Friday at the new multi-million-dollar DeBruce Center, which was built to house the historical two-page document.The 32,000-square-foot DeBruce Center opened a few weeks ago and...

No. 6 Kentucky dominant in opening stretch of SEC scheduleBy The Associated PressHere are a few things to watch in Southeastern Conference basketball this week:GAME OF THE WEEKEND: Arkansas at No. 6 Kentucky: Arkansas has lost only twice all season but could be running into a buzzsaw Saturday as...

AP Sports WriterMan enters Miami huddle during game vs. No. 4 LouisvilleBy GARY B. GRAVESLOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) ?? A spectator was tackled and arrested after running on the court and entering Miami's huddle during the first half of Saturday's 71-66 loss at No. 4 Louisville.The Hurricanes were leading 26-16...

Calipari plans to coach Kentucky 'the rest of my career'LEXINGTON, Ky. (AP) John Calipari plans to coach Kentucky for the rest of his career and to ensure the men's basketball program remains the ''gold standard'' of college athletics.Calipari, 57, is entering his eighth season in Lexington but is...